Zero Emission Vehicles - University of California Alianza MX

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SYSTEMWIDE PROGRAM

US-Mexico Taskforce on Zero Emission Vehicles

The US-Mexico High-Level Task Force for the Electrification of Transport was launched in February 2022 as a multi-stakeholder coalition led by UC Alianza MX, the UC Institute for Transportation Studies at UC Davis, and the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE). The principal objective of the Task Force is to achieve a managed industry transition to zero emissions that ensures prosperity, competitiveness, and inclusion with input from key stakeholders. In 2023, the initiative was renamed the US-Mexico High-level Task Force for Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) to reflect the broader range of technological options currently under development in both countries.

The Mexican auto industry is the seventh-largest passenger vehicle producer in the world and ranks sixth overall in production of heavy-duty vehicles for cargo. Representing close to 10 million direct and indirect jobs and contributing roughly 4% of Mexico’s gross domestic product, the automotive industry is a critical driver of the Mexican economy. Because 76 percent of light-duty vehicles and 90 percent of heavy-duty vehicles are exported to the United States, the auto industry is also a key pillar of the North American regional economy.

The task force initially focused on developing a binational roadmap with policy recommendations across five main themes: Innovation, Human Capital, Supplier Development, Infrastructure, and Governance. Participants later adopted two new objectives: the creation of three working groups (light-duty vehicles, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, and public transport in cities) and expanding the scope of work to include the full range of “Zero-Emission Vehicles.”

In the pursuit of these goals, the task force has shared the following publications:

In November 2022, members of the task force presented a progress report at the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (UNFCCC – COP27) in Egypt.

In February 2023, the Mexican Foreign Ministry (SRE) published a summary road map for the ZEV transition: “Diagnosis and Recommendations for the Transition of Mexico’s Automotive Industry.

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UC Alianza MX has also prepared a concept note summarizing the overall objectives and activities of the Task Force.

Light Duty Vehicles Working Group

This group studies the economic impact of the ZEV transition on employment, investment, production, the domestic market in Mexico, infrastructure, regulation, and other relevant issues. Participants include original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and parts producers, as well as representatives of the US and Mexican federal governments.

Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Working Group

This group studies the implications of California’s proposed Advanced Clean Fleet regulation (ACF) specifically for the border region and more broadly for challenges and opportunities in manufacturing and environmental protection. Participants include OEMs, freight transporters, utilities companies, and state and local government officials from California and Mexico.

Public Transport in Cities

The main goal of this group is to share experiences and best practices from cities in California and Mexico (as well as locations in other countries) for supporting the ZEV transition in public transportation, with a particular focus on the use of financing tools.

Contact

For further information about the Working Groups please contact jail.cruzgarcia@ucr.edu

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Light Duty Vehicles Working Group

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Medium and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Working Group

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Public Transport in Cities

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